Poll...and Query

[wyld_dandelyon]

First the poll: [Poll #1592044]If, assuming that you had plenty of money and no urgent need to pay bills or put it in savings or the like, you answered the above questions differently, my query is simple:

Why?  

What factors led you to take one imaginary action or another in these situations?

Comments

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

$2 to $3 to a credit card company to donate $1? Ouch!

I don't see this cash advance charge from Paypal, but I've linked Paypal to a bank account, so the credit card is not in the picture.

You actually can set up a Paypal account that charges a straight percentage; for amounts up to--drat, I can't remember, I figured out the cut-off point months ago--it's cheaper to use the micropayment formula, above that you pay more to Paypal using the micropayment form. However, you can choose only one of these types of payment per account. (Per bank account? Per user? I'm not sure, I don't get enough tiny contributions for it to be worth my while to figure that out.)

I wouldn't say that I love paypal; however, I am not aware it has any competitors. And it's much safer and easier for me than giving out my home address; I don't have to worry about bounce fees for checks or ask my fans to go out and buy bank money orders or postal money orders. And I don't like the risk of someone sending cash in the mail, and don't do enough business to support the costs of taking credit card payments directly.

Oops--lunch is over! got to go!

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

(This is Rowyn again, just don't feel like switching logins on my phone).

Credit cards have sizable consumer protections against fraud and theft, because federal law and regulation require it. Bank transactions have comparatively little. I do not remotely trust Paypal enough to give them my bank account number.

Ironically, I'd rather send checks, because my bank's check-sending site is far less annoying to use and inconvenient than Paypal. (And the checks it sends verify funds before sending, so they don't bounce). But I am the exception on that count.

I imagine eventually, maybe in another five years or so, there'll be a system in place that's cheaper and better than Paypal. One of Twitter's founders is working on a credit-card swiping technology for consumers to use to accept transactions, which would be great if he can overcome the various obstacles involved. :)